Crystal Bridges Bentonville
The mission of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is to welcome all to celebrate the American spirit in a setting that unites the power of art with the beauty of nature. Opened to the public on 11-11-11, Crystal Bridges was founded in 2005 by the Walton Family Foundation as a nonprofit charitable organization for all to enjoy. Since its opening, the Museum has welcomed more than 1.5 million visitors, with some 55,000 school children participating in educational experiences.
Crystal Bridges takes its name from a nearby natural spring and the bridge construction incorporated in the building, designed by world-renowned architect Moshe Safdie. Guest amenities include a restaurant on a glass-enclosed bridge overlooking the ponds, a Museum Store designed by architect Marlon Blackwell, and a library featuring more than 50,000 volumes of art reference material. Sculpture and 3.5 miles of walking trails link the Museum's 120-acre park to downtown Bentonville, Arkansas. Crystal Bridges’ permanent collection spans five centuries of American masterworks ranging from the Colonial era to the current day. Included within the collection are iconic images such as Asher B. Durand’s Kindred Spirits, Norman Rockwell’s Rosie the Riveter, and Andy Warhol’s Coca-Cola [3]— each reflecting a distinct moment in American artistic evolution—as well as major works by modern and contemporary American artists, including Georgia O’Keeffe, John Baldessari, and James Turrell.
Additional information about Crystal Bridges is available online at CrystalBridges.org.
State of the Art: Discovering American Art Now
(September 13, 2014 - January 19, 2015)
State of the Art draws from every region of the U.S., offering an unusually diverse and nuanced look at American art being created right now. Featuring more than 200 works by the 102 artists in all mediums, artwork will reach beyond the museum’s temporary exhibition spaces, extending into the permanent collection galleries and activating community areas indoors and out, occupying a total of approximately 19,000 square feet of space.
Learn more about State of the Art online here: stateoftheart.crystalbridges.org
